CD Projekt Red added a new combat designer to the development team for The Witcher 4. Jacqueline Kate Salsman joined the studio as an Expert Gameplay Designer after leaving Santa Monica Studio. Her arrival addresses long-standing criticism regarding shallow combat mechanics in previous Witcher titles.
Former Santa Monica Studio designer joins CD Projekt Red to improve combat mechanics
Salsman brings experience from high-profile action games to the project. She previously worked on God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarok, and The Callisto Protocol. CD Projekt Red confirmed she is currently working on the development team for The Witcher 4.
The studio did not release specific technical details about her role or the game's combat systems. Salsman's background focuses on action-oriented gameplay design from her time at Santa Monica Studio. Her hiring signals a shift in focus toward deeper and more refined combat mechanics for the upcoming title.
Previous Witcher titles faced criticism for their combat depth, which this hire aims to correct. The studio has not announced other personnel changes or specific release dates for The Witcher 4. Salsman's expertise in action game design may influence how the new title approaches player engagement and mechanics.
Source: TweakTown
